ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
7TH INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA : INDIA POST TO ISSUE A SPECIAL CANCELLATION STAMP AT 800 LOCATIONS TO MARK IDY - 2021
The Department of Posts [or India Post] is coming out with a special cancellation to capture the essence of the World Yoga Day on 21 June. This unique initiative will mark the commemoration of the 7th International Day of Yoga  2021. Indian Post will issue this special cancellation with a pictorial design through its 810 Head Post offices across India. This is going to be one among the largest such simultaneous philatelic commemorations ever.
All delivery and non-delivery Head Post Offices will put this special cancellation on all mail booked in the office on 21st June 2021. The special pictorial cancellation stamp will be an inked marking or impression with a graphical design with International Day of Yoga 2021 written in Both Hindi and English languages. A cancellation is defined as a postal marking used to deface a stamp to prevent its reuse. Such cancellations are valued collectibles and often subjects of philatelic studies.
The following activities are to be made at Parktown Head post office on occasion of 21st June 2021.
1) Display of Common Yoga Protocol AV as available in Ayush Websiteimparting the importance of Yoga along with various Yoga asanas in Parktown HO LED TV for wide publicity amongst the public.
2) Officials who are regularly doing Yoga Activities in their respective homes will perform Yoga Asanas and send its images. This will motivate other officials also to perform Yoga Asanas on daily basis.
3) Officials are also motivated to take online pledge/oath available in Ayush Website on occasion of IDY 2021.
Yoga and IDY have been popular subjects for philatelic commemorations over the years.
This year considering the COVID-19 Pandemic led situation, most of the events will take place virtually, promoting the main theme of this year “Be with Yoga, Be at Home.” As the country is cautiously coming out of the lockdown, this massive postal commemoration activity with more than 800 collectibles  opens up immense philatelic opportunities and is likely to re-ignite philatelic activity in the country.
This is stated in a press release issued by Senior Superintendent of post offices, Chennai city north division, Chennai – 600 008.
Ministry of Railways
ECoR OBSERVED NATIONAL SPORTS DAY
East Coast Railway  observed National Sports Day today at its headquarters at Rail Sadan to spread awareness of the importance of sports and daily activities in everyone's life and also to commemorate the 117th birth anniversary of hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand.
Gracing the occasion, ECoR General Manager  Shri Sharad Kumar Srivastava said that National Sports Day is dedicated to the Nation's Sports Heroes and Champions, honouring their contribution and dedication towards bringing laurels to the country. The day is celebrated with the aim of raising awareness about the values of sports: discipline, perseverance, sportsman spirit, teamwork and to encourage the public at large to take up sports and make it an integral part of their lives.
Railway Employees and Staff, especially Sports personnel of ECoR took part and participated in a grand manner in Sports/fitness activities to mark the National Sports Day. All Principal Heads of the Departments including East Coast Railway Sports Association  President Shri Manas Kumar Poddar were present on the occasion. Shri Ashok Kumar Mishra, Secretary, Sports coordinated the programme.
Department of Space
Union Minister Dr.Jitendra Singh says, 27 satellite missions and 25 launch vehicle missions were successfully accomplished during the last five years
Says, 286 commercial satellites from domestic as well as foreign customers and 8 student satellites from Indian universities were also launched in the last five years
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that a total number of 27 satellite missions and 25 launch vehicle missions were successfully accomplished during the last five years .
In reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister informed that in addition, 286 commercial satellites from domestic as well as foreign customers and 8 student satellites from Indian universities were also launched during the aforementioned period.
DrJitendra Singh said that some of the major space missions include first operational flight of India's heavy lift launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III which placed India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2 into orbit; Advanced Cartography satellite, Cartosat-3; completion of NavIC constellation; launch of South Asia Satellite; launch of heaviest and most-advanced high throughput communication satellite, GSAT-11 and launch of record 104 satellites in a single PSLV flight. Apart from these, three technology demonstrators namely Scramjet engine, Re-Usable Launch Vehicle and test for Crew Escape System were also successfully demonstrated during this period, the Minister added.
DrJitendra Singh said that the Department of Space has charted out short-term and long-term plans in the areas of Space Transportation Systems, Satellite Communication & Navigation, Earth Observation, Space Sciences & Planetary Exploration, Capacity Building and Space-based applications.
<><><><><>
SNC/RR
(
President's Secretariat
President of India graces 9th convocation of Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, graced and addressed the 9th convocation of the Dr Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry today  in Solan, Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, the President noted that the Dr Y. S. Parmar University has the distinction of being the first Horticultural University in Asia. He said that research in horticulture and forestry has a special significance for farmers in mountainous regions such as in Himachal Pradesh. Over the past three decades, the Dr Y. S. Parmar University has contributed significantly to the advance of horticulture and forestry in the state.
The President congratulated students of the University for choosing to pursue their education in the agricultural sector. This sector, he is said, is associated with the prosperity of farmers, the rural community and the entire country. He said he considered each student and teacher of this University to be a technically-equipped friend and partner of the farmers of Himachal Pradesh as well as other parts of our country.
Addressing the graduating students, the President said that the goal of their education should not be limited to simply getting a job. They can start their own enterprises by using their skills and learning. There is immense potential in the field of fruit and vegetable processing. With their knowledge and enterprise, graduates of the University could help consumers in the country and abroad get better food products and help farmers get better value for their produce. He urged the students to take advantage of various schemes and initiatives of the Union and state governments to set up their businesses in the agriculture sector.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Status-cum-Progress Report of “Special Committee for Inter-Linking of Rivers”
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the progress report of Special Committee for Inter-Linking of Rivers during 1.7.2016 to 31.3.2018
The progress report on interlinking of rivers has been submitted to the Cabinet in compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement dated 27.02.2012 in the matter of Writ Petition  – 512 of 2002: “Networking of Rivers” along with Writ Petition No.668 of 2002 which directs the Union Government of India to constitute a Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers. A periodical report is required to be submitted to the Cabinet on the progress made by the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers.
The Status Report of Special Committee on ILR consists of substantial progress made in three priority links namely Ken-Betwa Link, Damanganga-Pinjal Link and Para-Tapi-Narmada Link alongwith status of other Himalayan and Peninsular links identified as per National Perspective Plan of 1980.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
MSDE to celebrate achievements of Trainers / Master Trainers in Skilling
National Award for Excellence in Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development  to be given on Teachers' Day
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  has started National Award for Excellence in Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development  as part of National Award to Teachers - 2023, for recognizing and applauding outstanding contributions in the field of skill development and entrepreneurship across the nation. These national awards are meant to honor trainers and master trainers engaged in the skilling ecosystem as well as the faculty engaged in fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship.
An initiative of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, instituting National Awards in skilling as a part of National Awards to Teachers, truly reflects the priorities of the National Education Policy , 2020, which strongly advocates integration of vocational and formal education streams. NEP 2020, has also underlined the importance of motivated and energized faculty members to meet the expectations of high-quality education and training.
National Awards in the domain of skilling and entrepreneurship will replace the “Kaushalacharya Awards” conferred so far by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship .
This initiative is meant to acknowledge the efforts of individuals that have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in empowering the Indian workforce and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.
A total of 25 awards will be conferred to faculty, trainers and master trainers for rendering their meritorious and dedicated services in short term and long term skilling ecosystem as well as entrepreneurship development. Online nominations for the awards have been invited  from institutions such as Polytechnics, Industrial Training Institutes, Training centers set up under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and premium Entrepreneurship Development Institutions. Selection of meritorious candidates will be carried out through a rigorous screening progress.
Awardees will be felicitated on 5th September, 2023, as part of a ceremony to celebrate Teachers' Day. Each awardee shall be presented with a Medal, a Certificate and a Cash Prize of Rs 50,000.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Cooperation Agreement between India and Denmark in the field of Renewable Energy with focus on Offshore Wind Energy
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for a Cooperation Agreement between Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India and Ministry for Energy, Utilities and Climate of the Kingdom of Denmark on strategic sector cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy with a focus on Offshore Wind Energy and a Letter of Intent to establish an Indo-Danish Centreof Excellence for renewable energy in India. The Agreement was signed in March, 2019 in New Delhi.
The objective of the Cooperation Agreement is to promote cooperation between the twocountries in the field of renewable energy with special focus on Off-shore wind. The areas of cooperation would include technical capacity building for management of offshore wind projects, measures to develop and sustain a highly efficient wind industry, onshore as well as offshore; measures to 'ensure high quality of wind turbines, components, and certification requirements; forecasting and scheduling of off-shore wind
The Indo-Danish Centre of Excellence in Integrated Renewable Power would work on Renewable energy resource assessments with focus on onshore and offshore wind; Hybridisation of wind, solar, hydro and storage technologies; integration of renewable energy inch high level of wind energy, Testing and R&D; and skill development / capacity building.
The signing of the documents will help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s meeting with Prof. Nicholas Taleb, academic and public intellectual
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met distinguished American mathematical statistician, academician, public intellectual and author, Prof. Nicholas Taleb, today, in New York, USA.
Prime Minister complemented Prof. Taleb on his success as a public intellectual and for bringing complex ideas of risk and fragility into popular conversation.
In his conversation with Prof. Taleb, Prime Minister also highlighted risk-taking abilities of India’s young entrepreneurs and growing start-up ecosystem in India.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Allotment of Housesis done to ex-Ministers as per the entitlement
News has been published in some dailies on allotment/retention of Bungalow No.27, Safdarjung Road occupied by former Minister of Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal. It is a usual practice followed by the Directorate of Estates to offer alternate houses as per entitlement to the ex-Ministers, so that the new Ministers could be accommodated in those houses. Following this practice, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal was offered alternate house as per guidelines applicable for ex-Ministers, who are Members of Parliament.
The news item published in dailies that as per the Directorate of Estates Rule Book,Type-VIII Bungalows can be allotted to sitting Rajya Sabha MPs is not correct. As per Guidelines of the Directorate of Estates issued on 24.10.1985, after the approval of Cabinet Committee on Accommodation held on12.09.1985, it had been conveyed that in future, no allotment of type-VIII bungalow will be made from the general pool to any member of parliament without the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation. Further, Members who are ex-Governors, ex-Chief Ministers and ex-Cabinet Ministers of the Centre, ex-Speaker of the Lok Sabha, ex-Judges of the Supreme Court may be allotted houses of category-VII depending on availability.
Publication in news daily giving an impression that some former Ministers wants to retain a particular house is mischievous. Allotment of Bungalows to former or present Union Ministers is regular exercise done by the Directorate of Estates as per Rules/instructions of the Government.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India's total Recoveries cross the landmark milestone of 50 lakh
The last 10 lakh recoveries added in just 11 days
Recovered Cases have outpaced Active Cases by more than 5 times
India’s total recoveries have crossed the landmark milestone of 50 lakh today .
With a very high number of COVID patients recovering every single day, India’s steady trend of posting high level of daily recoveries continues. 74,893 recoveries have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country.
India has witnessed a very high level of more than 90,000 recoveries every day in the recent past.
The total recovered Cases have outpaced active cases by more than 5 times.
With the exponential increase in the recoveries, there is close to 100% increase in recovered cases in one month.
The national Recovery Rate has further increased to 82.58%.
15 States/UTs are showing recovery rate more than the national average.
73% of the new recovered cases are being reported from ten States, viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal and Punjab.
Maharashtra leads the tally with more than 13,000 new cases of recovered patients.
The rise in total recovered cases from 1 lakh in June 2020 has been steep. The last 10 lakh recoveries were added in just 11 days.
The commendable feat has been achieved through an array of calibrated, effective, and cohesive measures led by the Centre and implemented by the State and UT governments. Enhanced medical infrastructure, implementation of Standard Treatment Protocol, and full dedication & commitment of Doctors, paramedics & frontline workers have supplemented all-round efforts under the ‘Whole of Government’ approach.
78% of the total recovered cases are recorded in 10 States/UTs.
Maharashtra contributes maximum to the total recovered cases followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
A total of 82,170 new confirmed cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country.
79% of the new cases are concentrated in ten states. Maharashtra contributed more than 18,000 to the new cases. Karnataka contributed more than 9,000.
1,039 deaths have been registered in the past 24 hours.
84% of new deaths are reported from 10 States and UTs. 36% of deaths reported yesterday are from Maharashtra with 380 deaths followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with 80 and 79 deaths, respectively.
Strict adherence of norms of physical distancing, following hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and use of mask/face covers in public spaces is reiterated.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Alternatives to Plastics
All thirty six States/UTs have constituted the Special Task Force under Chairpersonship of Chief Secretary/Administrator for elimination of single use plastics and effective implementation of PWMR, 2016. A National Level Taskforce has also been constituted by the Ministry in this regard.The State /UT Governments and concerned Central Ministries/Departments have also been requested to developa comprehensive action plan and implement it in a time bound manner. The Government of India provides additional central assistance to the States/UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission for solid waste management including plastic waste management. Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 has specific focus on elimination of single use plastics.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has schemes to provide support to MSME units, which includes support to such units earlier involved in manufacturing of banned single use plastic items for switching over to alternatives / other products. These schemes provide support in respect of technology upgradation, creating awareness, marketing support, infrastructural support, as per scheme guidelines.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also notified the Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, on 16th February, 2022. As per these Guidelines, packaging and carry bags made of compostable plastics are covered under Extended Producer Responsibility. Producers, importers and brand owners are obligated that packaging and carry bags made of compostable plastics, are taken to industrial composting units under Extended Producer Responsibility.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs celebrates the Constitution Day
Organizes a webinar on “Fundamental Principles and Values of of the Constitution – an interface among Legislature, Judiciary and Executive”
The Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs celebrated the Constitution Day here today to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.
On the occasion, the reading of Preamble to the Constitution of India under leadership of Hon’ble President of India was done by the Officers and officials of the Ministry . A self-pledge on Fundamental Duties and Swachhata was also undertaken after reading of the Preamble to the Constitution.
A Webinar on “Fundamental Principles and Values of the Constitution – an interface among Legislature, Judiciary and Executive” was also organised which was open to all. Apart from officers and officials of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the officers and officials of Ministry of Earth Sciences joined this webinar. Dr.SatyaPrakash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs was the speaker on the occasion.
He enlightened the participant's on importance of the various principles enshrined in the Preamble to the Constitutions and highlighted the importance of constitutional values in our democratic system. He also sensitised the participants on the role of the three organs of Indian polity.
NITI Aayog
Atal Innovation Mission and ScooNews Partner to spread awareness of Grassroots Innovations
Enhancing the Outreach of Atal Tinkering Labs’ Student Innovations in Digital Media
In order to share and spread inspiring stories of grassroots, innovations Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, is collaborating with ScooNews, one of the largest education media houses in India.
Through this collaboration, not only greater awareness of various initiatives of AIM and Atal Tinkering Labs will be generated among the education sector stakeholders, but also schools, faculties, educators and mentors will be provided quality perspectives, content and best practices from across the globe.
ScooNews will support various events or competitions initiated by AIM through its network. Further, with the goal to document and share inspiring stories from across the country, AIM and ScooNews shall curate and publish ATL-related content, inspiring grassroots stories and innovations, ed-tech news and stories of various startups and organisations supported by AIM on a monthly basis. ScooNews will also bring out a special publication to celebrate the top innovations of ATL Marathon.
“Atal Innovation Mission aims to create over a million neoteric innovators and potential job creators in the country. To enable the same, it is imperative that we share stories of people who inspire us. Our ATL beneficiaries are beating all odds and continuing to tinker and innovate, even in these tough times. Their inspiring stories must be shared and celebrated. Our partnership with ScooNews is going to be fundamental in identifying and share such stories, while also creating a value-adding recognition platform for innovative talent in India,” said AIM Mission Director Shri R. Ramanan.
He also thanked the ScooNews team for working relentlessly to bring out positive stories in school education even during Covid-19times.
ScooNews CEO Ravi Santlani said, “We are excited to work with AIM. We are committed to identifying path-breaking stories of prodigies across the country and create quality content through the journey of these students, teachers, schools, mentors, and other stakeholders. Forging a strong partnership with AIM, NITI Aayog, will enable us to do the best for the education ecosystem of India and expand our organisation’s vision and mission.”
At Atal Innovation Mission, we believe that any such collaboration with Indian homegrown institutions, organisations and companies is critical to develop public-private partnerships and provide forums to nurture the inventiveness of young students as a motivational tool.